*To free some of my time for other things, I’ll now be posting only on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.Be sure to use the Search feature and the drop-down menu in the archives to help you find topics you’re interested in. Hope my posts help you!

Mother of the Bride, are you gathering wedding photo ideas to share with your daughter? If so, be sure to share this idea of how to show off the wedding rings. It’s pure perfection.

Wedding rings nestled in the bridal flowers is not a new idea, but it is one of my favorites. The solid color and softness of delicate flowers provide the perfect backdrop for the sparkling beauty of wedding rings. Such a romantic way to feature the rings!

Saying it with flowers will not only make a wedding-ring shot pop with beauty, but it will pop with meaning as well as two important elements of the wedding are combined. This photo will be one to treasure since it features the rings symbolizing the joining together of two souls and the flowers which capture the joy and celebration of the big day itself.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

Mother of the Bride, one of the many fun parts of your job as MOB is to pass along good wedding-planning ideas to your daughter, but it carries an extra thrill when it’s a fun idea especially for her and her groom. And today’s idea—which I saw on the Martha Stewart Weddings website—is sure to be a hit with both of them.

If your happy couple has opted to not see each other on wedding day until the ceremony (or first look photos), suggest they have fun texting teaser photos to each other in the hours leading up to their first in-person moments together. This will be a playful way for them to feel more connected, build anticipation, or to simply ease whatever nerves they may be experiencing. It will also add to all the special memories of their big day.

So go ahead, MOB—add to your daughter’s and future son-in-law’s joy by passing along this super fun pre-ceremony idea. They will be so glad you did!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early February. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

Mother of the Bride, here’s a winning idea to pass along to your soon-to-be-married daughter: Gift the groom with a snazzy pair of socks to wear on wedding day. What fun, right?!

I’m sure wearing a tux for hours on end doesn’t sound that desirable to your daughter’s intended. If she can give him some fun socks to jazz up his wedding attire, he will feel touched by her thoughtfulness and also excited at the prospect of flaunting them at some point during the festivities.

If your daughter likes this idea, she could go several different ways in finding just the right pair of socks for her love. She might try to find a pair that matches or coordinates with the colors of the wedding, or she could try to find something to match the groom’s personality or interests. Or she could go with a total surprise—something no one would ever guess.

Yes, MOB, a fun pair of socks can definitely put a smile on the groom’s face—especially if they’re a gift from his dream girl. Let the sweetness of fun gift-giving begin!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

Mother of the Bride, if your daughter’s bridal portrait session is coming up soon, this roundup post of ideas should be helpful to you both. It’s always a good idea to have some photo ideas to share with your photographer, particularly if there are certain shots your daughter really wants.

As you and your daughter look through the options I’ve pulled together for you today, I hope you’ll find some that resonate with you. There are lots of other ideas out there as well so be sure to check other sources (like my Wedding Photography Ideas Pinterest board as well.)

Now for the roundup—here are the links to the bridal portraits I’ve featured thus far:

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

Mother of the Bride, today I have a tip on how to sidestep a potential disappointment with photos from the big day. Since wedding photography is one of the major expenses for the wedding, you definitely want to do anything you can to insure that both you and the happy couple will be satisfied with the once-in-a-lifetime photos from their special day.

One of the best things you can do to avoid disappointment with the photos is to give a list of must-have shots to your professional photographer. Don’t assume he or she will automatically take all the shots you think are standard. Don’t expect him to be a mind-reader, MOB. Some couples and their parents have a very traditional vision of what their photos should include while others want to take a more casual or photo-journalistic approach.

Be specific. Don’t just say family shots. List the specific family shots you want. Also be sure to tell him that in addition to the list, you want him to be as creative as possible and capture unexpected, fun, and tender moments whenever and wherever he can.

As you compile your list, MOB, think outside the box—think of some of the great photo opps that might present themselves at the wedding that are unique to you and your family and friends.The photographer will not magically know to take a photo of you with your very best friends. He won’t know that the newlyweds want a shot of all their college friends together.

Do a little photography preparation, MOB, and you’ll come much closer to being pleasantly surprised with the results instead of unhappy over missed shots. Take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event—make your list!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out in early August. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Hope this slightly revised encore post from Feb. 2014 has been helpful to you!

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Meet Cheryl

Faith. Family. Friends. Serving God. All of these things are important to me. Being a writer is one of the ways I live out my faith and serve the One who first loved me. My prayer is that you will be refreshed as you join me on my journey. Read More…